Course in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments
Online 300 h course in ethics in field testing in civilian environments. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (operation of unmanned aircraft) and QGIS. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's defence engineering sector is centred on the New Zealand Defence Force, which operates land, sea and air capabilities, with major bases at Linton and Burnham. Defence procurement and sustainment are managed through the Ministry of Defence, and local firms support maintenance, communications and vehicle systems. Land systems engineering is closely linked to the country's agricultural and forestry sectors, where ruggedised vehicles and equipment are developed and maintained.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,580 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
How is defence and military engineering recognised in New Zealand?
Engineering registration is handled by Engineering New Zealand, and defence procurement and security clearances are managed through the New Zealand Defence Force and government procurement processes. Security clearance requirements can matter more than academic credentials for some roles. SEIUM is a private institute, and its qualifications are not accredited by a national body, so recognition rests with the employer.
What defence and land systems employers operate in New Zealand?
Opportunities arise with the New Zealand Defence Force, Defence Technology Agency, defence industry suppliers and engineering firms serving land systems and vehicles. Many roles require citizenship or security clearance. A private online qualification may support an application, but it does not guarantee a position, and clearance and experience usually weigh more heavily.
Is it possible to study from New Zealand without a visa, and can my employer pay?
Yes, programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Each includes an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, so plan your workload carefully.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the risks specific to testing outside controlled environments.
Design information and consent processes with affected communities.
Carry out a data protection impact assessment for capturing information in public space.
Plan the operational safety of a test in a civilian environment.
Analyse the dual-use implications of the technologies tested.
Apply criteria of transparency and accountability towards the public.
Draft the plan for a responsible test in a civilian environment.
Who it's for
- Field test director seeking to specialise in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments.
- Data protection officer seeking to specialise in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments.
- Environmental assessment technician seeking to specialise in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments.
- Community relations manager seeking to specialise in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments.
- Operational safety engineer seeking to specialise in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments.
- Risk management consultant seeking to specialise in Ethics in Field Testing in Civilian Environments.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (operation of unmanned aircraft)
- Law 21/2013 (environmental assessment)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment)
- Law 17/2015 (National Civil Protection System)
- ISO 31000 (risk management)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (control of dual-use items)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Why systems are tested in civilian environments1.2Types: airspace, roads, maritime areas1.3UAS tests in segregated airspace1.4Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and the specific category1.5Tests of automated vehicles on public roads1.6Regulated test zones (sandboxes)1.7Differences with military ranges1.8Affected parties and externalities1.9Acceptable risk and who decides it1.10Workshop: identifying those affected in an urban test
2.1Individual versus community consent2.2Prior information that is clear and understandable2.3Public participation in planning2.4Vulnerable populations and equity2.5Compensation for disturbance and damage2.6Environmental assessment under Directive 2011/92/EU2.7Tests in protected natural areas2.8Relations with town councils and authorities2.9Managing complaints and claims2.10Case study: drone testing over a rural area
3.1Sensors that record third parties3.2GDPR and the legal basis for processing3.3Data protection impact assessment3.4Minimisation and anonymisation of images3.5Retention and deletion of recordings3.6Geolocation data on individuals3.7Transfer of data to defence partners3.8Rights of data subjects3.9CCTV and national legislation3.10Practice: DPIA for a test involving cameras
4.1SORA analysis for UAS operations4.2Geofencing, flight termination and redundancies4.3Safety pilots and human oversight4.4Contingency and emergency plans4.5Coordination with emergency services4.6Radio frequency interference with civil services4.7Insurance and liability for damage4.8Incident reporting and investigation4.9Lessons from incidents in autonomous vehicle testing4.10Case study: analysis of the Tempe accident (2018)
5.1Civilian tests with military purposes5.2Secrecy versus the public's right to know5.3Honest communication of the purpose of the test5.4Publication of results and incidents5.5Public trust in technology5.6Media and social networks5.7Independent ethical review5.8Accountability after the test5.9Post-test assessment of social impact5.10Workshop: communication plan for a dual-use test
6.1Definition of the system and the test6.2Site selection and analysis6.3Map of affected parties6.4Operational safety plan6.5Privacy assessment6.6Participation and communication strategy6.7Monitoring plan and indicators6.8Final ethical evaluation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is QGIS, Python (pandas), advanced Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures from field trials in public spaces, consultations with local communities and data protection impact assessments. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify the risks specific to testing outside controlled environments.
Design information and consent processes with affected communities.
Carry out a data protection impact assessment for capturing information in public space.
Plan the operational safety of a test in a civilian environment.
Analyse the dual-use implications of the technologies tested.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient English to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
Work is carried out with QGIS, Python (pandas), advanced Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS Pro. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Consult the credit transfer policy when enrolling.
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